Darlington’s defence has been the foundation on which much of their success this season has been founded, but they are forced into changing most of their back four this afternoon.

Suspensions are hitting hard, with Chris Hunter and captain Gary Brown, both among the first names on Martin Gray’s team sheet this season, missing the match against Lancaster City at Heritage Park.

Hunter serves a one-game suspension for reaching five yellow cards, but Brown’s ban is particularly frustrating as it comes due to a red card received against Whitby Town in the Doodson Sports Cup, a competition of little importance to Gray.

The pair were Darlington’s centre-back pairing during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Clitheroe, when Josh Nearney made his debut at right-back.

He was substituted at half-time, however, with winger Adam Mitchell moving into his position and Gray has this week been hoping to add another defender to his squad.

On Nearney, who is on loan for a month from Hartlepool United, Gray said: “It was a tough half for him because all of the play was down his side. He coped really well and did ever so well getting forward.”

The manager can at least call on the experienced Alan White, who was unavailable seven days ago for a game that saw Quakers’ concede a dispiriting last-minute equaliser to mid-table Clitheroe.

“He was a miss to us,” said Gray. “He’s a leader, he wins a lot for us and he can get other players through a game with his experience and leadership. The only issue is his discipline.

“He’s got pace alongside him, but we’ve got players in the defence with a defensive mentality and it’s worked well so far this season.”

Darlington were not at their best against Clitheroe with a draw being a fair result, bringing Quakers’ winning league run of nine matches to an end.

They are now undefeated in 11 league fixtures and, looking back, Gray remained upbeat, though admitted not all of his team were at their best.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted, but it’s still 29 points out of the last 33 available so you can’t be too critical.

“You’re not going to put in fantastic performances very week. You ask for it, but it’s not going to happen every week and three or four players were below par. I wouldn’t name names, but we need everybody to be on top of their game for us to be where we want to be.

“We went 1-0 up, we had lots of chances in the first half – the game was too open – but we took the lead and they went down to ten men, so we were in a really good position.

“In any game you’ve got to take your chances. It’s alright hitting the bar and the keeper making saves, but you’ve got to be more dominant in the final third.”

Lancaster were one of three teams that Darlington failed to score against home or away last season – promoted sides Curzon and Ramsbottom being the others – but they have struggled so far in this campaign.

Managed by Darren Peacock, with ex-England international Trevor Sinclair as assistant, they are 13th, one place below Clitheroe.

But Gray said: “Lancaster are a good side, better than their league position, and the same went for Clitheroe last week. I knew Clitheroe were going to be better than a mid-table team.

“They’ll be well-organised defensively by Darren, as they were last year and they’ve got some good players.

“A couple of results went for us in midweek with Salford and Farsley drawing, but what’s more important is our results.”